Accident Description
During a training exercise involving a touchdown autorotation, a helicopter experienced a series of oscillations after making contact with the ground. According to the investigation report, the student pilot was performing the maneuver and, at approximately 3 feet above ground level (AGL), initiated cushioning collective pitch and leveled the helicopter. As the helicopter descended to roughly 1 foot AGL, the student applied aft cyclic control. This action caused the helicopter to touch down on the aft portion of the skids.
Sequence of Events
Following the initial touchdown on the aft skids, both the student and the certified flight instructor (CFI) applied forward cyclic control. The helicopter then rocked back and forth several times before coming to a complete rest. The report notes that the CFI did not make any control inputs prior to the impact with the ground.
The event occurred during a training evolution, and the aircraft sustained damage as a result of the hard landing and subsequent rocking motion. No further details regarding the specific type of helicopter, registration, location, or injuries were provided in the source material.